The Evolution of Black Friday

Chris Kavan

By Chris Kavan - 11/27/14 at 12:19 AM CT

I realize I'm getting older, but looking back at the dark ages known at the 90s, it amazes me how much things have changed in just a short span of time. I was disheartened that the day after Halloween, I saw the first Christmas ad of the year. It used to be most advertisers waited until after Thanksgiving to start up with the holiday cheer. But why wait when you can ram the savings and specials down people's throats for a full two months?

Black Friday has likewise changed. Back in the day before everyone had cell phones and social media and apps were even a thing, Black Friday really was a single day - the day after Thanksgiving where you had to get up before the sun, stand in line for the best deals and hope the three Playstation and Talking Elmo dolls weren't snatched up within seconds. But no more - granted, certain specials can still only be obtained by attending these elaborate "door buster" events (and some people still take weeks off in order to be the first in line) but, like Christmas advertising seems to come up earlier and earlier each year, Black Friday is no longer relegated to a single day, but rather a week (or more) of deals. And, better yet, there's no need to wait outside in the cold.

Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, social media and apps, the best deals are literally at your fingertips. Case in point: Amazon's Black Friday week-long event. Deals range from the limited-time deals to some truly amazing deals. You like movies, I like movies - so let's say you want to build the ultimate home theater system so you can relive the experience of going to the movies without leaving your home. You have to start with the TV, of course, why not start with the best of the best, a Samsung UN65HU8700 Curved 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV - get the ultimate picture quality (and even 3D) plus save over $1700. Pair it with a Samsung BD-F7500 4K Upscaling 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Disc Player so you can take advantage of 4K and 3D Blu-Rays. But you can't really have a great picture without great sound - you want to feel that rumble and give your ears at big a treat as your eyes. So make sure you add in a Samsung HW-H750 4.1 Channel 320 Watt Audio Soundbar with Built-In Wi-Fi - just don't blow out your ears entirely. If you want to expand beyond just a sound bar, invest in a Sony STR-DN1050 7.2 Channel Hi-Res 4K AV Receiver and build up a true movie-going sound system - in any room in the house should you choose.

This is the dream set-up, but there are deals to fit any budget (and room size - since I certainly wouldn't have the room for a 65-inch television in my room). You can find great deals for under $200 and search around for deals up to 70% off. Things change rapidly, but if you're shopping for anyone Black Friday (and the upcoming Cyber Monday) are certainly the best times for deals. And you don't even have to get up before dawn to track them down anymore. Check the newsletter for the best deals on movies and give the economy a boost this year by taking advantage of an offer or two (or three or more).

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